Temperatures in much of the Upper Midwest have already been below freezing, or will be soon. If you are still planning to graze or mechanically harvest forage on cover crop acres it is important to keep forage species in mind as some species can have toxic effects on animals. Read more in this article from University of Minnesota Extension.

For those who planted small grains, in particular oats, on prevented plant acres with the intention of harvesting for supplemental forage, that harvest time is approaching. Some questions regarding rust and potential nitrate toxicity have been raised in the context of the approaching harvest. Read more in this article from This Week Community News (Columbus, Ohio).

The announcement by the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA), enables farmers who plant cover crops on prevented plant acres to hay, graze, ensile, or chop those fields earlier than November 1. For 2019, RMA will allow farmers to make forage on prevent plant acres after Sept. 1. Find out more in this article from the News Gazette (Winchester, Indiana).

Cereals, soybeans, and silage corn are all being harvested, or will be soon! That bare ground provides an opportunity to boost forage inventories by double cropping with a winter cereal, while getting all the benefits of a cover crop in the rotation. Read more in this article from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs.

Cover crop acreage is expected to increase in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency's revision to the preventive-planting insurance provisions, according to North Dakota State University Extension livestock experts.

Cover crops expand forage options, but require management of potential nutritional and medical issues, according to Travis Meteer, University of Illinois Extension commercial agriculture beef educator. Find out more in this article from Farm Week Now.

The 2019 growing season has been challenging to say the least, especially when it came to planting and harvesting forages for winter feeding. The wet conditions didn’t allow for entry into fields on time or even for planting crops in some fields. But there are fall-forage options available to plant to extend winter and early-spring feed supply.

Cover crops protect soil and water quality and often provide a valuable source of livestock feed. However, not much research has been done regarding the value and viability of using cover crops for forage. A new study supported by the Iowa Nutrient Research Center and Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture evaluated the use of cover crops to get a better understanding of its forage yield and quality, cattle performance, and soil health. Find out more in this article by Michaela King with Hay & Forage Grower.